SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State University hockey team skated to a 5-3 victory over the Adrian College Bulldogs (NCAA, Div. III) in the first of a home-and-home, non-conference series on Friday, Nov. 27 at the Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
The Lakers got on the board early in the game with senior defenseman Will Riedell scoring his first goal of the season at 1:04 of the first period. The play leading up to the goal began when Hampus Eriksson won the faceoff in the offensive zone to give the Lakers possession to set up the play. The forward line of Eriksson, Miura, and Mucha pressure the Bulldogs defense to eventually get the puck to Riedell who fired off a wrist shot from the faceoff circle to the right of Adrian goaltender Nic Tallarico that put the Lakers ahead 1-0.
At 5:02 of the first, the Lakers would extend their lead to two goals as senior forward Yuki Miura redirected a shot from freshman defenseman Jacob Bengtsson to make it a 2-0 score. Bengtsson's defense partner, Jacob Nordqvist, slid a pass across the blue line and Bengtsson sent a blast from the point on goal. The puck was tipped by Miura, who was credited with the goal.
The Adrian College Bulldogs would have an answer for the Lakers offense as forward Andrew Bellant scored on a backhand shot that beat Laker netminder Mareks Mitens top shelf at 9:18 of the first period.
The Lakers would regain a two goal lead over the Bulldogs at 1:09 of the second period as junior forward Jack Jeffers scored his second goal in as many games. Jeffers skated up the wing and sent a shot that rang in off the crossbar to beat Tallarico on the play. Brandon Puricelli recorded the primary assist on the goal while freshman defenseman Jeremy Gervais notched his first collegiate point with an assist.
At 12:41 of the second period, Adrian would once again cut the Lakers lead to one goal as Ryan Butler scored to make it a 3-2 game.
Only a few minutes of action followed before Ashton Calder scored his second goal of the season to put the Lakers ahead by two goals for the third time in the game. Calder's goal, which would hold up as the game winner, was a result of a strong offensive shift from him and his linemates (Veillette, Boudon) to create the chance. Boudon would record an assist on the goal while Gervais registered his second assist of the game.
Before the second period expired, the Bulldogs would capitalize on a power play advantage to bring the game back within a goal. Sam Ruffin scored for Adrian with the man advantage to send his team into the final period of play trailing by one goal, 4-3.
The Lakers would secure the lead for good when Brandon Puricelli scored his first goal as a Laker just 1:05 into the final period of play. Dustin Manz and Will Riedell were awarded the assists on the goal.
LSSU goalie Mareks Mitens clinched his first win of the season with a 21 save performance in net for the Lakers. Adrian's goaltender, Nic Tallarico, finished the game with 34 saves.
The Lakers will travel to Adrian, Mich. to close out the non-conference weekend series against the Bulldogs on Sunday, Nov. 29 in a 2:07p.m. afternoon game at the Arrington Ice Arena.
Even though spectators cannot currently attend games in Michigan, there are still a number of ways that fans will be able to follow the game action. All Laker home and away games against WCHA opponents during the 2020-21 season will be available to watch live on FloHockey, the WCHA's streaming partner. For more information or to sign up for a subscription, visit https:/www.flohockey.tv. Fans can also tune in to the radio broadcast on 99.5 Yes FM, the official radio station of Laker hockey.
For more information, visit lssulakers.com.
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